Will my horse every be used to being caught

Question

She always runs from me today she has gotten better like last night it took me about 30 minutes to catch her in a small area today it took me 10 minutes. She is a mustang, she has been bounced around from home to home because something is wrong with her back leg (does not affect her at all when riding) anyway instead of riding her for the first few weeks of having her should i catch her and just walk her around for a lil bit then put her back? Or??? I tried grain and treats to have her come to me but she is a picky horse she ate some sugar cubes today though is that good for her

Answer 1

Any horse can get used to being caught, it just takes a little time and effort. Personally, I would start off with some ground work, or just hang out with her for a while. Play a "game" with her, and try to make her curious. Whenever you visit her, don't just take her out and ride her. If you can, make some extra trips and just socialize.

Some of those games I would do to make her curious is follow her. When she moves away, you follow (don't make yourself appear aggressive, and stay at a reasonable distance. I've had a friend kicked in the face by following a horse she had owned for 5-6 years, and it is never a pretty thing). If she stops, you stop. She stops, you stop. She steps towards you, take a step back. Thirty minutes at a time is reasonable, or if you're short on time, maybe fifteen.

I would ride her. Some people wouldn't, but it's still important to build a connection both through groundwork, interaction, and mounted work.

Answer 2

horses will not go up to you unless they trust you just hang out with her... horses are not just means of transportation they make great friends.

Answer 3

From 30 minutes to 10 minutes is already amazing progress. It gets easier. But don't run after her when she runs. Just walk, with the halter in hand and always in plain view, and always walk straight toward her head. Each time she turns and runs again when you come near, just continue to walk after her and she will eventually stop and drop her head when she realizes that you are not going to give up. I have had to do that sometimes for nearly an hour with some new horses but it always gets easier if you never give up. And sugar cubes are fine but just don't bribe her with treats. You can reward her with a treat if she comes to you and you can give her a treat 5 minutes or so after you have caught her and put the halter on her, but not immediately after catching her or she will think the reward is for running away. The main goal is to establish a bond with her and she may dread your visits if every visit means work. So make most of your visits just a visit to spend some time with her, to just talk to her and to pet her and to give her an occasional treat. It won't be long then until she will run to the gate to greet you when she sees you coming. Horses are wonderful that way. They respond to gentleness and are soon glad to see you.

Answer 4

One good thing to try is take a lawn chair and a good book and (if it's safe go in her field) and just hang out doing your thing to let her get accustomed to you being around. This also teaches her that you're not always coming into the field to just catch her. Horses respond incredibly well to this approach. It lets your horse get used to you being around with no demands and becoming a bit like a member of the herd. I sometimes go hang out in the field to relax, and the horses are so used to me, they will often come near and then all lie down for a siesta. Do this only if it's safe...and don't pay her much attention. Too much attention can put pressure on a horse. Chill and wait for her to come check you out. She will eventually.

Answer 5

well what you might be able to try as talk to her when your trying to catch her in soothing tones and if bring her treats. Try to earn her trust

Answer 6

its not about her getting used to being caught...you have to look at the pobbible reasons she might not want to be caught and then determine which one for example think of it like this...if u thought school was boring then you arent going to want to go every day...well she might b tht way too...she could be in pain either medically, or while ur riding her OR it could be a combination of things...she also might find work boring so check her tack and call the vet also take her on a trail or in a feild for a gallop eery now and then to keep things intresting, also i dont condone giving treats as she will just get bratty if u show up without one but if u take riding lessons like me and cant control if ur horse has a bad experience riding or is in pain etc etc then treats are a good option ut you have to use them in a clever way(this is wat i do)...il get a treat and show it to her so she wont run and then put the lead rope over her kneck and then halter her and then lead her back to the barn without feeding her the treat and just pick very random days to either give her the treat WHEN she is in the cross ties or not.

good luck

Answer 7

Your plan is actually very good. If you just catch her and play with her and give her goodies for the first week or so, she will learn that being caught is a pretty good thing. It will be important to repeat that lesson for her periodically so that she can be reminded that getting caught is a good thing.